Best Beaches In & Near Faro
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1. Ilha Deserta
© Animaris / CC BY Travel time from Faro: approx 0.5 hrs
Ilha Deserta means deserted island and this small sandy isle just off the coast of Faro lives up to its name. At 7km (5 miles) long the island has plenty of beach for all of its zero permanent inhabitants. Even in the height of summer you would be unfortunate if you had to share your stretch of beach with more than a few others - not like the nearby beaches… read more »
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2. Praia de São Rafael
Travel time from Faro: approx 0.5 hrs
Located approximately four kilometres to the west of Albufeira old town centre, Praia de São Rafael is a Blue Flag beach recognised officially for its cleanliness. It marries the rich blue of the sea with a wide triangle of golden sand. This is edged by attractive rocky cliffs the colour of butter and biscuits which are etched with caves and grottoes and are perhaps best explored by renting a… read more »
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3. Benagil Beach
© Sven Grüne Travel time from Faro: approx 1 hr
Like many others on the Algarve, Benagil was a small fishing village. Unlike many others Benagil has managed to retain some of its charm and a little of its industry. Along with the sandstone cliffs, clear waters and golden sand of this archetypal Algarvian cove you will find fishing boats, baskets and nets and a few of the fishermen who still work from here. Despite its appeals the beach at… read more »
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4. Praia dos Pescadores
Sean MacEntee Travel time from Faro: approx 0.5 hrs
Praia dos Pescadores (or Fisherman’s Beach) is a Blue Flag beach which forms one stretch of golden sand running along the coastal side of Albufeira. A stone’s throw from the old town, as well as places to eat, drink and sleep, this beach is unsurprisingly popular with Algarve locals as well as those on holiday in the region.
Named after the spot in town where fishermen historically hauled their boats… read more »
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5. Praia da Marinha
© Inacio Pires / 123RF Travel time from Faro: approx 1 hr
Ocre coloured cliffs are a trademark of the coves of the central Algarve, as are the amazing rock formations and clear aquamarine waters. However, with the possible exception of Praia Dona Ana in Lagos, nowhere are these rocks as spectacular as at Praia da Marinha.
Over the millennia the ocean has carved the limestone cliffs here into various arches, caves and pinnacles making this one of the most photographed beaches… read more »
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6. Praia da Rocha
© CanStockPhoto Travel time from Faro: approx 1 hr
Praia da Rocha is one of the Algarve's best known and certainly most impressive beaches. A vast expanse of golden sand backed by the ochre coloured sandstone cliffs unique to this stretch of the Algarve. The beach's name translates to 'rock beach' and this refers to the numerous rock formations that punctuate the golden sand towards the western end.
Being located on the doorstep of Portimão, one of the Algarve's… read more »
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7. Meia Praia
Travel time from Faro: approx 1 hr
Situated between the town of Lagos and the mouth of the Ribeira de Odiaxere river, Meia Praia is the region's longest area of beach. Providing plenty of space even during the busy summer period, Meia Praia has a total length of around four kilometres, but still has a calm and understated atmosphere compared to many other beaches in the Algarve. The most popular part of the beach tends to… read more »
